Key Takeaways
· Infrared sauna benefits detox and circulation by using gentle, dry radiant heat that penetrates deep into muscles and tissues.
· Best home sauna brands 2025 offer models that are easier to install, more energy-efficient, and require less maintenance compared to steam saunas.
· Steam saunas offer high humidity and are excellent for respiratory health, relaxation, and skin cleansing, but often feel more intense with shorter sessions.
· Installation and ongoing care are simpler with infrared saunas since there’s no moisture to manage, reducing risks of mold or maintenance hassles.
· Both sauna types provide relaxation and notable health benefits, so choosing the right one depends on your personal space, comfort, and wellness priorities.
When it comes to saunas, there are a number of distinct varieties available to choose from, each of which offers its own selection of advantages. Among the many types of saunas, the steam saunas that are traditional to Finland and the infrared saunas that are more recent and contemporary are two of the most popular types.
In this post, we will discuss the differences between steam saunas (and rooms) and infrared saunas, as well as offer some insights into which type of sauna would be the most suitable option for achieving your health and wellness goals.
What Types of Saunas are there?
There are four diverse types of saunas:
1. Traditional or regular sauna (also called 'Finnish sauna' or steam sauna)
2. Dry sauna
3. Steam bath or Turkish bath
4. Infrared therapy sauna
Every sauna offers a unique experience.
Traditional saunas and infrared therapy saunas are popular choices for home use.
There are options available for custom-designed or pre-built home saunas. They can be easily installed either inside or outside.
One of the advantages of pre-built saunas is their portability and affordability compared to custom-built options. They can be conveniently purchased and quickly installed in just one to two hours. Additionally, they offer a variety of styles and sizes to choose from.
Tip: If you want a truly hassle-free wellness addition, a simple infrared sauna 1-person model is an excellent pick for both beginners and experienced sauna users.
What is an Infrared Sauna?
An infrared sauna is a wooden room that gently warms the body using infrared rays rather than relying on excessive heat or humidity. The infrared rays, similar to our natural body heat, can penetrate deep into the body, reaching approximately 1 ½ inches and directly warming the body.
The saunas that use infrared rays for heating typically maintain a lower temperature range of 115-130 degrees Fahrenheit, which is significantly lower than the higher temperatures of traditional saunas.
Despite the lower temperature, infrared saunas are highly efficient at directly heating the body, making them one of the most beneficial options available.
Tip: For couples or small spaces, consider an infrared sauna indoor 2 person model, which offers intimacy, efficiency, and all the wellness benefits in a compact design.
Learn more: Health Benefits of Ice Baths and Cold Plunge Therapy
What is a Steam Room?
A steam room is made of a non-porous material, such as glass or tile, and is an airtight room that warms the body through high heat and humidity. A steam generator boils water to make steam, creating a moisture-rich environment.
Average temperatures hover around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, although it may feel much hotter due to humidity levels that can reach up to 100 percent. As opposed to infrared saunas, which heat the user directly, steam rooms heat the outside environment, warming the user from the outside in.
Tip: If you’re looking for weather-resistant wellness, a weatherproof outdoor infrared sauna is a smart alternative to steam or indoor models.
Infrared vs. Steam Saunas
|
Aspect |
Infrared Sauna |
Steam Sauna |
|
Heat Source |
Uses infrared heaters to emit infrared light experienced as radiant heat, absorbed directly by the body. |
Heats the air in the room, typically using a steam generator or water over hot rocks. |
|
Temperature Range |
Lower temperatures (usually between 120°F - 140°F). |
Higher temperatures (often between 150°F - 190°F). |
|
Humidity |
Low humidity, the air remains relatively dry. |
High humidity due to steam, creating a moist environment. |
|
Health Benefits |
Deep tissue relaxation, detoxification, pain relief, improved circulation. Believed to penetrate muscles more deeply. |
Respiratory benefits due to moist heat, skin cleansing, relaxation, improved circulation. |
|
Experience |
Gentle and dry heat, often considered more comfortable for longer sessions. |
Intense and moist heat, may feel more oppressive, shorter sessions are common. |
|
Energy Efficiency |
More energy-efficient due to lower temperatures and direct heating methods. |
Less energy-efficient, as it takes more energy to heat the room and maintain high temperatures. |
|
Installation & Maintenance |
Easier to install, less maintenance as there's no moisture to cause mold or mildew. |
May require more complex installation and regular maintenance to manage moisture and prevent mold. |
Benefits of Infrared Saunas Vs. Steam Rooms
We just learned that infrared saunas and steam rooms do not work at all the same way. Infrared saunas give off dry heat, while steam rooms give off wet heat.
Infrared technology heats the body very well without needing very hot temperatures around it. It has been shown to help with muscle and joint pain, boost the immune system, and speed up detoxification and metabolic response, all of which can help with weight loss and getting rid of toxins in skin tissue.
A lot of people also know that steam rooms can help your heart health and lower your blood pressure. The mucous membranes in the lungs and sinus cavities get warmer in hot, muggy air, which is good for overall health. In a comparison of the two, steam rooms have been shown to help with lung and heart health, skin health, and muscle and joint pain.
Learn more: Integrating Sauna Sessions into Detox Programs
Infrared Saunas, on the other hand, have been shown to speed up your metabolism and help you lose weight. They are also good for your heart, relieve muscle and joint pain, boost your immune system, clean out your body, reduce the look of cellulite, reduce stress and tiredness, and make your skin look better.
Tip: For those seeking a true at-home retreat, a luxury home sauna can elevate everyday wellness and offer impressive design options.
Conclusion
People and families can both get much-needed health benefits from infrared saunas and steam rooms. Stress can be relieved, relaxation can grow, and health and happiness can improve all around. To put it simply, they can be useful additions to your home and way of life.
Before you buy an infrared sauna or steam room, you should think about what you and your family need and also look over the facts. What room in your house will this new feature go? How healthy are you right now? What are your health and wellness plans for the future?
Tip: Curious about long-term value? Look into the outdoor infrared sauna warranty and materials for peace of mind when choosing the best model for your family.
Sun home Saunas sells some of world best Infrared Saunas, the popular infrared sauna blanket and home cold plunge tub setups so improve your heath by using our Infrared Saunas.
Reach out today and connect with our sauna experts to bring the full benefits of sauna therapy into your daily life
FAQs
How does an infrared sauna differ from a steam sauna in heating method?
Infrared saunas use radiant heaters that directly warm your body at lower temperatures and with dry heat, whereas steam saunas heat the air and generate intense humidity.
Which sauna is better for people with respiratory issues?
Steam saunas may be better for respiratory health because the moist heat soothes airways, but those sensitive to humidity may prefer the gentler environment of an infrared sauna.
Are infrared saunas more energy efficient than steam rooms?
Yes, infrared sauna benefits detox and comfort with lower energy consumption, as they require less heat and warm the body directly instead of heating the air.
Do both saunas offer similar health benefits?
Both steam rooms and infrared saunas help with muscle relaxation, circulation, and overall wellness, though infrared saunas are particularly known for their detoxification effects.
Is maintenance easier for an infrared sauna compared to a steam room?
Infrared saunas from the best home sauna brands 2025 require less maintenance since there is no extra moisture to control, while steam rooms need regular cleaning to prevent mold and mildew.
